Cara Hallinan says she and many of her friends are feeling very nervous aboutthe looming disposable vape ban. In fact, she says: "I'm not sure what we are going to do." The 25-year-old took up vaping five years ago. One of her friends gave her a puff on theirs and that was it, she could finally wean herself off cigarettes. Cara says it was cherry fizz flavoured vapes which helped her quit her 20-a-day smoking habit, and now, as the ban looms, she's buying as many as she can before they become illegal to sell or supply across the UK. "I've been buying boxes of them from my local discount store. They're trying to get rid of them, so I've been getting ten vapes for £20." Cara says she's got about 40 vapes now, enough to last a few weeks, but she wants to stockpile enough to get her through the summer. From 1 June, it will be illegal to buy or sell disposable vapes. Only devices considered to be reusable will be legal. They must have a rechargeable battery, a replaceable coil and be refillable. Cara understands there will still be a wide variety of vapes out there to buy, but she's not convinced they will work for her. "With everything else going on in my life, what if I forget to recharge my vape? And then I wake up one morning without a vape, or I run out of charge at work? "I'm used to the ease of being able to buy a disposable one when I need." Cara is one ofmore than three million ex-smokers who have made the switch from cigarettes to vapes over the past few years. While vapes are considered a healthier alternative to cigarettes, there are concerns that vaping provides a gateway into nicotine addiction - withdisposable vapes enticing children and young peoplewith their fruity flavours and cheap prices. Even though rechargeable vapes are the most popular, there are still around 30% of vapers who prefer to use disposable vapes. "One of the big attractions is ease of use," Dan Marchant, owner of online retailer, Vape Club, and co-founder of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), says. "Buying a disposable vape is like buying a packet of cigarettes – just nip to the shop and get one over the counter." He says he's seen sales of the most popular flavours of vapes double over the past few weeks as some customers stock up. Another online retailer, Haypp, has also seen sales rise ahead of the ban. Haypp's scientific director, Dr Marina Murphy, said: "Daily sales are now regularly surpassing even our Black Friday peaks, which had previously been our biggest sales days." Some are worried about the change in taste. Disposable vapes tend to be sweeter than refillable vapes due to them often having more sweeteners and nicotine salts in the E-liquid. After 40 years of chain-smoking cigarettes, Baroness Claire Fox of Buckley says it was the strawberry and banana flavour disposable vapes that finally helped her quit. "They worked a treat and for the past 18 months I have been smoke-free." The 64-year-old peer admits it wasn't easy, but after being advised by two doctors to try vapes, she's gone from being the "proud winner of the smoker of the year award" to a life free from the harms of tobacco. And now, she says, she is dreading 1 June when the disposable vape ban comes in. "I've been stocking up with stashes of brightly-coloured vape boxes both at home and at work. "The rechargables have a metallic, battery taste which I don't like." She says disposable vapes have had a "miraculous impact on smoking levels". "Finally, we have a smoking cessation device that works and we ban it - it's counter- productive and daft." The outspoken peer, who often berates legislation she sees as infringing civil liberties, says environmental concerns are clearly trumping public health concerns. The UK government wants to reduce the impact on the environment – an estimated five million disposable vapes were thrown away last year – and cut the number of children and young people vaping. Health experts agree anyone who does not smoke should not start vaping, as it may cause long-term damage to lungs, hearts and brains. A Censuswide poll, commissioned by Vape Club, asked 2,000 vapers across the UK how their habits were going to change in the wake of the ban next month. While 49% of people who use disposable vapes said they were going to switch to different types of rechargeable devices, and 16% said they were going to stop vaping altogether, it has also produced some "worrying results", Mr Marchant says. "We found that 11% said they were going to stockpile after the ban - by going abroad and buying from countries where disposables are sold legally and then bringing them back into the UK. "And more worryingly, 18% said if they couldn't get hold of disposable vapes they would go back to smoking after the ban comes in." This is something, Nick, who owns Mist Vapes, recognises, as he points to the local newsagent a few shops down the road in Whalley Range, south Manchester. "Many of my regular customers say they will stop vaping when the ban comes in, instead of coming here, they'll go to Booze and Cigs down the road and pick up a pack of cigarettes and go back to smoking." He is worried about the future of his business. He points to the rows of pastel-coloured boxes, lined up on shelves that cover a whole wall in his shop. There are popular flavours like pineapple ice, rainbow and blueberry sour. "They'll have to go," he says. "And that's nearly £6,000 worth of stock down the drain. "I only set up my business a year ago, so it's relatively new. I knew the ban was coming, but with 90% of my sales being disposable, I've had to keep on restocking." He believes the government has failed small retail shops like his own. "I don't think it's going to make much difference to vaping habits – many of the rechargeable vapes now look the same as the disposable, you can buy them pre-filled and charged." He turns one over – the only difference he says is the charging point at the bottom. "I'm selling the rechargeable at the same price but with less of a mark-up." The government says disposable vapes "blight our towns and cities". Circular economy minister, Mary Creagh, says the ban will boost the economy long-term. "This is an important step on the road to a circular economy, where we use our resources for longer, clean up our communities, accelerate the path to net-zero and create thousands of jobs across the country."
'I don't know what we'll do' - Vapers panic-buy ahead of disposables ban
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Concerns Rise as UK Prepares for Disposable Vape Sales Ban"
Bbc News
6.8
TruthLens AI Summary
As the UK approaches the ban on disposable vapes set to take effect on June 1, 2023, many vapers are expressing anxiety and uncertainty about their future options. Cara Hallinan, 25, who credits disposable vapes with helping her quit a 20-a-day cigarette habit, is among those stockpiling supplies. She has purchased around 40 vapes from local discount stores, hoping to last through the summer. Despite understanding that reusable vapes will still be available, Cara expresses concern over the practicality of these devices, fearing that she may forget to recharge them. Her sentiments echo those of many in the vaping community, as disposable vapes have become a popular choice due to their convenience and appealing flavors, particularly among younger users. With health experts warning against starting vaping for non-smokers, the government aims to address both health and environmental concerns, given the estimated five million disposable vapes discarded last year.
The impending ban has sparked a surge in sales, with retailers like Vape Club and Haypp reporting significant increases in demand as customers rush to stock up. Dan Marchant, from Vape Club, highlights that many users find disposables easy to purchase, similar to cigarettes. However, the ban has also raised alarms about potential adverse effects on smoking rates, with 18% of surveyed vapers indicating they might revert to smoking if disposables are unavailable. Concerns extend to small business owners in the vaping industry, such as Nick from Mist Vapes, who fears the impact of the ban on his sales, as 90% of his stock currently consists of disposable vapes. The government maintains that the ban is a necessary step toward creating a circular economy and reducing environmental waste, but it remains to be seen how these changes will affect public health and vaping habits in the long term.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the concerns surrounding the impending ban on disposable vapes in the UK, as expressed by vapers like Cara Hallinan. It illustrates the anxiety among users who have relied on disposable vapes as a means to transition from traditional cigarettes, highlighting the implications of this regulatory change on their habits and choices.
Public Sentiment and Community Reaction
This news piece aims to evoke empathy and concern among readers, particularly vapers and ex-smokers. It emphasizes the emotional and practical challenges faced by users who are accustomed to the convenience of disposable vapes. By sharing Cara's story, the article seeks to humanize the issue, potentially rallying support for those affected by the ban.
Underlying Issues and Transparency
While the article focuses on individual experiences, it may downplay broader public health concerns regarding vaping, particularly among youth. The narrative primarily favors the perspective of adult vapers, possibly masking the significant debate on the health risks associated with vaping and its appeal to younger demographics.
Manipulation and Trustworthiness
The article exhibits a moderate level of manipulation through its choice of language and focus. By centering the narrative on personal anecdotes, it could lead readers to sympathize more with vapers than consider the public health implications. This framing may create a sense of urgency and opposition to the ban, influencing public opinion in favor of disposable vapes. The overall reliability of the article appears to be moderate, as it presents real experiences but lacks a comprehensive view of the issue.
Comparative Analysis with Other News
In comparison to other articles discussing vaping regulations, this piece aligns with a trend of highlighting personal stories to garner support. This method contrasts with more analytical approaches that examine the regulatory measures' implications on public health. The source of the article may maintain a pro-vaping stance, which influences its portrayal of the issue.
Potential Societal Impacts
The looming ban on disposable vapes could generate significant societal changes, primarily affecting the vaping community. It may lead to an increase in black market sales or a shift towards reusable devices that may not cater to all users' needs. Economically, companies involved in the production of disposable vapes might face losses, while businesses pivoting to rechargeable devices could see growth.
Target Audience
The piece resonates primarily with young adults and ex-smokers who have found solace in vaping as a cessation tool. It may also appeal to those concerned about consumer choices and regulatory overreach, fostering a sense of community among vapers.
Market and Economic Repercussions
In terms of stock market implications, companies involved in vaping or tobacco could see fluctuations based on public sentiment following this ban. Stocks of businesses focused on alternative nicotine delivery systems may benefit, while those tied to disposable products could suffer.
Geopolitical Context
While this news article does not directly address global power dynamics, it reflects a growing trend in health regulation that could influence similar initiatives in other countries. This regulation aligns with broader discussions on public health policies and consumer rights.
Artificial Intelligence Influence
It’s plausible that AI tools were used in crafting this article, particularly in structuring the narrative and identifying key emotional elements. Such technology may have aided in emphasizing personal stories while crafting an engaging format, although it is difficult to pinpoint specific instances of AI influence in the writing.
In conclusion, while the article provides valuable insight into the experiences of vapers facing a significant regulatory change, it does so with a narrative that may be more sympathetic to individual users than to the wider public health concerns involved. Its reliability is moderate, driven by personal accounts but lacking a balanced exploration of the issue.